Liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a liquid crystal display device in which: bias is mitigated in the event that bias has occurred in the liquid crystal material of a liquid crystal layer; variations in the cell thickness do not occur; and display irregularities are controlled. A display crystal panel 1 is equipped with: a TFT substrate 2 and an opposing substrate 3 which are rectangular in shape and adhered together by a seal material 4 formed at the inner peripheral side; a liquid crystal layer 5 provided on the inner peripheral side of the seal material between the two substrates; a rectangular rim-shaped frame BM 32 provided on the liquid crystal layer 5 side of the opposing substrate 3; and a linear recessed portion 33 provided in at least a circumferential-direction section of the frame BM 32.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display apparatus witha thin film transistor (TFT) substrate provided for example in atelevision receiver or a personal computer.

BACKGROUND ART

Among display apparatuses, liquid crystal display apparatuses are thinand consume less power. In particular, a liquid crystal displayapparatus including a TFT (i.e., thin film transistor or active matrix)substrate with switching elements such as TFTs for respective pixels,which has a high contrast ratio and exhibits excellent responsivenessand high performance, is favorably used for example in televisionreceivers and personal computers.

A television receiver (also referred to below as a TV receiver)including a liquid crystal display apparatus includes for example adisplay panel, a display module, a front cabinet, and a rear cabinet.The display panel displays a picture on a front side thereof. Thedisplay module includes a backlight unit that irradiates a back side ofthe display panel with light. The front cabinet covers a side surfaceand a peripheral part of a front surface of the display module. The rearcabinet covers a back surface of the display module.

The display panel includes a TFT substrate, a counter substrate (colorfilter substrate), a liquid crystal layer, a sealant, and two polarizingplates. The TFT substrate and the counter substrate are opposite to eachother. The liquid crystal layer is provided as a display medium layerbetween the TFT substrate and the counter substrate. The sealant sealsthe TFT substrate and the counter substrate together and has a frameshape in which the liquid crystal layer is sealed in between the TFTsubstrate and the counter substrate. The respective polarizing platesare disposed on respective outer surfaces of the TFT substrate and thecounter substrate.

In a situation in which one of the polarizing plates is attached to abonded substrate in which the counter substrate and the TFT substrateare bonded together, the polarizing plate is placed on an outer surfaceof the bonded substrate and a polarizing plate attaching roller isrolled and moved on the polarizing plate while in a pressing state forattachment. Alternatively, the bonded substrate and the polarizing platemay be attached to each other into a curved shape in a manner that: thepolarizing plate is held by suction on an upper surface of an upwardlyconvex stage; the bonded substrate is placed on one end of the uppersurface of the polarizing plate; and a roller is pressed toward thestage to bond the bonded substrate to the polarizing plate.

In attachment of the polarizing plate to the bonded substrate, thebonded substrate is pressed by the polarizing plate attaching roller andreceives pressure to push and move a liquid crystal material toward anend of the liquid crystal layer where attachment of the polarizing plateterminates. This may gather the liquid crystal material locally in apart of a cell located on a side where attachment terminates.

In particular, a display panel having a thin glass substrate has astrong tendency to cause local gathering of the liquid crystal materialin attachment of the polarizing plate.

Local gathering of the liquid crystal material caused in the cell maycause variation in cell thickness to cause display irregularity.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a liquid crystal display apparatus inwhich a protrusion having a height H and a width W1 is provided on asurface of the counter substrate which faces the liquid crystal layerwhile a recess having a depth D larger than the height H and a width W2smaller by one spacer to be disposed therein than the width W1 is formedin a region of in a surface of the TFT substrate which faces the liquidcrystal layer in correspondence with the protrusion. In the above liquidcrystal display apparatus, spacers on the protrusion are located in aregion of the recess and another region. Among the spacers, the spacerslocated in the other region define the cell thickness and support theprotrusion. Further, the presence of the spacer in the recess preventsan increase in cell thickness by the thickness of the protrusion.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature [Patent Literature 1]

Japanese Patent No. 3962196

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The protrusion and the recess of the liquid crystal display according toPatent Literature 1 as described above are located along the peripheryof a frame region. However, it is not considered that a problem inattachment of the polarizing plate to the bonded substrate that theliquid crystal material is pushed and moved toward a part of the liquidcrystal where attachment of the polarizing plate terminates to locallygather the liquid crystal material at the part thereof where attachmentterminates in the cell, as described above, is solved by releasing thelocal gathering of the liquid crystal material in a manner to move theliquid crystal material in a direction toward a part where intra-cellpressure is low and opposite to a direction in which the polarizingplate attaching roller moves.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementionedproblem and has its object of providing a liquid crystal displayapparatus in which local gathering of the liquid crystal material in theliquid crystal layer is released and occurrence of display irregularityis prevented without variation in cell thickness.

Solution to Problem

A liquid crystal display apparatus according to one embodiment of thepresent invention includes two substrates, a liquid crystal layer, ashielding film, and a recess. The two substrates each have a rectangularshape and are bonded to each other with a sealant around inwardperipheries of the respective substrates. The liquid crystal layer islocated inward of the sealant between the substrates. The lightshielding film has a rectangular frame shape and is disposed on asurface of one substrate of the two substrates. The surface faces theliquid crystal layer. The recess is in a linear shape extending in atleast a part of a periphery of the light shielding film.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when a liquid crystalmaterial in the liquid crystal layer locally gathers for example inattachment of one of the substrates to a polarizing plate, the liquidcrystal material flows into the recess and moves to another prat of theliquid crystal layer. Thus, local gathering of the liquid crystalmaterial can be released. As a result, occurrence of displayirregularity caused due to variation in cell thickness can be prevented.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the recess includes a portion located at at leasta part of a short side of the light shielding film and a portion locatedat at least a part of a long side of the light shielding film. The longside of the light shielding film is connected to the short side thereofwith a corner therebetween.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the liquid crystalmaterial locally gathers at a part of the liquid crystal layer whereattachment terminates, that is, a part of the substrate corresponding tothe short side of the light shielding film in attachment of a polarizingplate to the substrate by rolling a polarizing plate attaching rollerfor example in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, the liquidcrystal material can flow from the short side toward the long side ofthe recess and move in a direction opposite to a direction in which thepolarizing plate attaching roller moves, that is, move to a part of theliquid crystal layer located opposite to the part where the liquidcrystal material locally gathers. Even in a situation in which theliquid crystal material locally gathers at a part of the liquid crystallayer corresponding to the long side of the recess, the liquid crystalmaterial can flow from the long side into the short side of the recessand move toward a prat of the liquid crystal layer located opposite tothe part where the liquid crystal material locally gathers. Thus,gathering of the liquid crystal material can be released.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the recess may extend around an entire peripheryof the light shielding film.

In the embodiment of the present invention, even when the liquid crystalmaterial locally gathers in attachment of the polarizing plate, theliquid crystal material can favorably flow toward a part of the liquidcrystal layer located opposite to the part thereof where the liquidcrystal material locally gathers, that is, toward a part thereof whereattachment starts.

The liquid crystal display apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention further includes a second recess may extend to beconnected to the recess in plan view of the substrates and the liquidcrystal layer in a pixel region.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal materialcan flow into a middle part between the part of the liquid crystal layerwhere the liquid crystal material locally gathers and the part thereoflocated opposite to the part where the liquid crystal material locallygathers, with a result that the cell thickness can be further evenedout. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the second recess isconnected to an end of the recess, the liquid crystal material canreadily flows from the liquid crystal layer toward the recess or fromthe recess toward the liquid crystal layer.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the one of the substrates may be a countersubstrate including a counter electrode and the shielding film may be ablack matrix provided on the counter substrate in a frame region.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the recess extends in theframe black matrix of the counter substrate. That is, the recess extendsin a part of the counter substrate where attachment of the polarizingplate to the substrate terminates and where the liquid crystal materialtends to gather. In the above configuration, local gathering of theliquid crystal material can be favorably released.

In the liquid crystal display apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, the one of the substrate may be a thin filmtransistor substrate and the light shielding film may be a black matrixprovided on the thin film transistor substrate in a frame region.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the recess extends in aframe black matrix on the thin film transistor substrate. That is, therecess extends in a part of the thin film transistor substrate whereattachment of the polarizing plate to the substrate terminates and wherethe liquid crystal material tends to gather. In the above configuration,local gathering of the liquid crystal material can be favorablyreleased.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a linear recessextends in at least a periphery of the rectangular frame-shaped lightshielding film provided on a surface of one of the substrates that facesthe liquid crystal layer. In the above configuration, when the liquidcrystal material of the liquid crystal layer locally gathers for examplein attachment of the polarizing plate to the substrate, the liquidcrystal material flows in the recess toward another part of the liquidcrystal layer to release local gathering of the liquid crystal material.Thus, occurrence of display irregularity caused due to variation in cellthickness can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a TV receiveraccording to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a display panel whenviewed in a longitudinal direction thereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a bonded substrate in whicha counter substrate and a TFT substrate are bonded together before apolarizing plate is attached.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state of the polarizingplate being attached onto an insulating substrate.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating a configurationin which a frame BM has no recess.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state of the polarizingplate being attached onto the insulating substrate in a configuration inwhich the frame BM has no recess.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating a display panelaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating the bonded substrate inwhich the counter substrate and the TFT substrate are bonded togetherbefore the polarizing plate is attached.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating the bonded substrate inwhich the counter substrate and the TFT substrate are bonded togetheraccording to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating the bonded substrate inwhich the counter substrate and the TFT substrate are bonded togetheraccording to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional view of a display panel accordingto a fifth embodiment as viewed in a longitudinal direction thereof.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional view of a display panel accordingto a sixth embodiment as viewed in a longitudinal direction thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detailwith reference to drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a TV receiver 100according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectionalview of a display panel 1 as viewed in a longitudinal direction thereof.FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a bonded substrate in whicha counter substrate 3 and a TFT substrate 2 are bonded together before apolarizing plate 7 is attached.

The TV receiver 100 includes a transversely oblong display module 17, analuminum front cabinet 8, a synthetic resin-made rear cabinet 9, a tuner10, a decoder 11 and a stand 12. The display module 17 includes thedisplay panel 1 that displays a picture. The front cabinet 8 and therear cabinet 9 sandwich and accommodate the display module 17therebetween. The tuner 10 receives broadcast waves from an antenna (notillustrated). The decoder 11 decodes encoded broadcast waves. Thedisplay module 17, which has a substantially transversely rectangularparallelepipedal shape as a whole, is accommodated and stands betweenthe front cabinet 8 and the rear cabinet 9.

In a configuration in which the display module 17 is for example of edgelight type, the display module 17 includes the display panel 1, a lightguide plate (not illustrated), an LED substrate (not illustrated), areflection sheet (not illustrated), a chassis (not illustrated), and forexample three optical sheets (not illustrated).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display panel 1 includes a TFT substrate2, a counter substrate 3, a liquid crystal layer 5, a frame-shapedsealant 4, and polarizing plates 6 and 7. The TFT substrate 2 and thecounter substrate 3 are opposite to each other. The liquid crystal layer5 is disposed between the TFT substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 asa display medium layer. The sealant 4 bonds the TFT substrate 2 and thecounter substrate 3 together and seals the liquid crystal layer 5 inbetween the TFT substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3. The polarizingplates 6 and 7 are disposed on respective outer surfaces of the TFTsubstrate 2 and the counter substrate 3.

The TFT substrate 2 has a plane area larger than that of the countersubstrate 3.

Note that a distance between the TFT substrate 2 and the countersubstrate 3 opposite to each other (thickness of the liquid crystallayer 5) is kept fixed for example by a columnar spacer (notillustrated) provided at either of the TFT substrate 2 and the countersubstrate 3 that face each other. The same is applied to the otherembodiments described later.

A pixel region displays a picture or an image, and refers to a region inwhich the TFT substrate 2, the liquid crystal layer 5, and the countersubstrate 3 are superposed in plan view. The outer periphery of pixelregion is located slightly inward of a frame region where the sealant 4is located.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the TFT substrate 2 includes a plurality ofsignal lines (source lines) 23, a plurality of gate lines (notillustrated), a plurality of TFTs (not illustrated), a plurality ofpixel electrodes 22, and an alignment film (not illustrated) on aninsulating substrate 21 of for example a glass substrate in the pixelregion. The signal lines are arranged in parallel in a row direction.The gate lines are arranged in parallel in a direction across the signallines 23, that is, a column direction. The TFTs are provided atrespective intersections of the signal lines 23 and the gate lines, thatis, for respective pixels. The pixel electrodes 22 are arranged inmatrix and connected to the respective TFTs. The alignment film coversthe pixel electrodes 22.

The counter substrate 3 includes red CFs 35, green CFs 36, blue CFs 37each formed on an insulating substrate 31 such as a glass substrate, alattice-shaped pixel black matrix (also referred to below as a pixel BM)34 that defines each of the CFs, a rectangular frame-shaped frame blackmatrix (also referred to below as a frame BM) 32 located in the frameregion, a counter electrode (not illustrated) covering the CFs and thepixel BM 34, and an alignment film (not illustrated) covering thecounter electrode. The frame BM 32, the pixel BM 34, the red CFs 35, thegreen CFs 36, and the blue CFs 37 each are made of for example aphotosensitive resin and respectively colored in black, black, red,green, and blue with respectively corresponding color pigments. The redCFs 35, the green CFs 36, and the blue CFs 37 each may have a thicknesslarger than the frame BM 32 and the pixel BM 34.

The red CFs 35, the green CFs 36, and the blue CFs 37 are each providedfor a corresponding one of the pixel electrodes 22. Pixels are eachcomposed of a set of a red CF 35, a green CF 36, and a blue CF 37. Onlyone pixel is illustrated in the pixel region in FIG. 2. The pixels arearranged in matrix in the row direction and the column direction.

Provision of the frame BM 32 and the pixel BM 34 can prevent lightleakage in black color display, color mixing of adjacent CFs, andgeneration of photocurrent by light irradiation to the TFTs.

The sealant 4 bonds the insulating substrate 21 and a periphery of theframe BM 32 together.

A notched recess 33 is formed in a stepwise manner in a part of theframe BM 32 located inwardly near the pixel region of the liquid crystallayer 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the recess 33 has a rectangular frame shapeextending around the entire periphery of the frame BM 32. The inner endof the frame BM 32 and the outer end of the pixel BM 34 are connected toeach other along a boundary between the frame region and the pixelregion. Accordingly, the recess 33 has a recessed groove shape.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state of the polarizingplate 7 being attached to the insulating substrate 31. The polarizingplate 7 is attached to the insulating substrate 31 in a manner that thepolarizing plate 7 is placed on an outer surface of the insulatingsubstrate 31 and a polarizing plate attaching roller 15 is rolled andmoved leftward from the right in FIG. 4 while in a pressing state.

Note that the bonded substrate and the polarizing plate 7 may beattached to each other into a curved shape in a manner that thepolarizing plate 7 is sucked and held on an upwardly or downwardlycurved stage (not illustrated), the bonded substrate is placed on one ofends of the polarizing plate 7, and a polarizing plate attaching rolleris pressed against the stage to bond the bonded substrate to thepolarizing plate 7.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating a configurationin which the frame BM 32 has no recess 33. FIG. 6 is a schematic planview illustrating a state of the polarizing plate 7 being attached ontothe insulating substrate 31 in a configuration in which the frame BM 32has no recess 33. Elements in FIGS. 5 and 6 that are the same as thosein FIGS. 2 and 4 are labelled using the same reference signs, anddetailed description thereof is omitted.

In a configuration in which no recess 33 is formed in the frame BM 32 asillustrated in FIG. 6, when the polarizing plate attaching roller 15 isrolled on the polarizing plate 7, the liquid crystal layer 5 is pressedby the polarizing plate attaching roller 15 and receives pressure, sothat a liquid crystal material is pushed and moved toward a part of theliquid crystal layer 5 where attachment of the polarizing plate 7terminates (left short side of the liquid crystal layer 5) with a resultthat the liquid crystal material locally gathers.

When the polarizing plate attaching roller 15 is rolled on thepolarizing plate 7, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and internal pressure ofthe liquid crystal layer 5 increases by local gathering of the liquidcrystal material at a part of the liquid crystal layer 5 whereattachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates, the liquid crystalmaterial flows into the recess 33 as indicated by arrows in the drawingand moves toward a part of the liquid crystal layer 5 located oppositeto a part thereof where attachment terminates in the present embodiment.Thus, local gathering of the liquid crystal material can be released. Asa result, occurrence of display irregularity caused due to variation incell thickness can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the recess 33 extends in the frame BM 32 ofthe counter substrate 3. This means that the recess is formed in a partof the frame BM 32 corresponding to a part of the liquid crystal layer 5where attachment of the polarizing plate 7 to the insulating substrate31 terminates and where the liquid crystal material tends to gatherlocally. Therefore, local gathering of the liquid crystal material canbe favorably released.

Note that the recess 33 is formed into a recessed groove shape throughan end of the frame BM 32 being connected to an end of the BM 34 in thepixel region. However, the present embodiment is not intended to belimited to a configuration in which the recess 33 is formed into arecessed groove shape through connection therebetween. The recess 33 maybe open inward. However, the recess 33 having a recessed groove shape ispreferable because the liquid crystal material can extensively flow inthe recess 33 to further even out the liquid crystal layer 5.

Description has been made about a case where the polarizing plate 7 isattached to the insulating substrate 31 in the present embodiment.However, even when the liquid crystal material locally gathers by beingpushed and moved toward a part of the liquid crystal layer 5 whereattachment of the polarizing plate 6 terminates in a situation in whichthe polarizing plate attaching roller 15 is rolled on the polarizingplate 6 with the polarizing plate 6 aligned with the insulatingsubstrate 21, the liquid crystal material can flow in the recess 33toward a part of the liquid crystal layer 5 located opposite to a partthereof where attachment terminates. Thus, local gathering of the liquidcrystal material can be released in a like manner.

The polarizing plate attaching roller 15 is not limited to being rolledin a longitudinal direction of the bonded substrate. Even in a situationin which the liquid crystal material locally gathers at a long side ofthe liquid crystal layer 5 by rolling the polarizing plate attachingroller 15 in a short direction of the bonded substrate, local gatheringof the liquid crystal material can be released in a like manner.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional view illustrating a display panel13 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan viewillustrating the bonded substrate in which the counter substrate 3 andthe TFT substrate 2 are bonded together before the polarizing plate 7 isattached. Elements in FIGS. 7 and 8 that are the same as those in FIGS.2 and 3 are labelled using the same reference signs, and detaileddescription thereof is omitted.

In the display panel 13, a recess 38 in a recessed groove shape extendsaround the entire periphery of the frame BM 32 in a part of the frame BM32 located inwardly near the pixel region of the liquid crystal layer 5.

In also the display panel 13 in the second embodiment, when internalpressure of the liquid crystal layer 5 increases by local gathering ofthe liquid crystal material at a part of the liquid crystal layer 5where attachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates, similarly to inthe display panel 1, in a situation in which the polarizing plate 7 isattached onto the insulating substrate 31 by rolling the polarizingplate attaching roller 15, the liquid crystal material flows into therecess 38 and moves toward a part of the liquid crystal layer 5 locatedopposite to a part thereof where attachment terminates. Thus, localgathering of the liquid crystal material can be released.

The recess 33 in the display panel 1 is connected to the end of thepixel BM 34. In the above configuration, the recess 33 is connected theend thereof to be formed into a recessed groove shape. By contrast, arecessed groove is formed in the frame BM 32 in the display panel 13.Therefore, the recess 38 may not be connected to the end of the pixel BM32. Therefore, the liquid crystal material can flow without hindrance ofany other elements having any shapes.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating the bonded substrate inwhich the counter substrate 3 and the TFT substrate 2 are bondedtogether according to a third embodiment. Elements in the drawing thatare the same as those in FIG. 8 are labelled using the same referencesigns, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the third embodiment, a plurality of first recesses 39 and aplurality of second recesses 40 extend in short sides and long sides ofthe frame BM 32. The first recesses 39 extend along the periphery of theframe BM 32. The second recesses 40 each extend continuously andperpendicularly to a corresponding one of opposite ends and centralparts of the first recesses 39 in plan view of the insulating substrate31 and communicate with the liquid crystal layer 5 in the pixel region.

In the present embodiment, flow paths of the liquid crystal materialbranch to the second recesses 40. In the above configuration, when theliquid crystal material locally gathers at a part of the liquid crystallayer 5 where attachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates inattachment of the polarizing plate 7 onto the insulating substrate 31 byrolling the polarizing plate attaching roller 15, the liquid crystalmaterial can flow toward the liquid crystal layer 5 in the pixel regionnot only from ends of two of the first recesses 39 extending along therespective long sides of the frame BM 32 that are located at a part ofthe liquid crystal layer 5 located opposite to a part thereof where theliquid crystal material locally gathers but also from the central partsof the respective two first recesses 39 through corresponding two of thesecond recesses 40, that is, through parts of the respective firstrecesses 39 located between the part thereof where the liquid crystalmaterial locally gathers and the part thereof opposite to the partthereof where the liquid crystal material locally gathers. Thus, cellthickness can be further even out.

The first and second recesses 39 and 40 extend in a line symmetricmanner with respect to a longitudinal center of the insulating substrate31. In the above configuration, even if a start end and a terminationend for attachment of the polarizing plate 7 are located at any side ofthe insulating substrate 31, that is, even if the polarizing plateattaching roller 15 is rolled in the longitudinal direction or the shortdirection of the bonded substrate, the same advantages can be obtained.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating the bonded substrate ofthe counter substrate 3 and the TFT substrate 2 according to a fourthembodiment. Elements in the drawing that are the same as those in FIG. 8are labelled using the same reference signs, and detailed descriptionthereof is omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, the display apparatus includes a first recess41 and second recesses 42. The first recess 41 extends in parallel tothe periphery of the frame BM 32 along one of short sides of the frameBM 32 and continues to middle parts of the respective long sidesthereof. The second recesses 42 and 42 are connected to respective endsof the first recess 41, extends perpendicularly thereto in plan view ofan insulating substrate 31, and communicate with the liquid crystallayer 5 in the pixel region.

In the present embodiment, when the liquid crystal material locallygathers at a part of the liquid crystal layer 5 where attachment of thepolarizing plate 7 terminates in attachment of the polarizing plate 7onto the insulating substrate 31 by rolling the polarizing plateattaching roller 15, the liquid crystal material flows into the centralpart of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the longitudinal direction thereofthrough the first recess 41 and the second recesses 42. Thus, localgathering of the liquid crystal material can be released and the liquidcrystal layer 5 can be further even out.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional view of a display panel 14according to a fifth embodiment as viewed in a longitudinal directionthereof. Elements in the drawing that are the same as those in FIG. 7are labelled using the same reference signs. The display panel 14 is instructure of color filter on array (COA) in which CFs are provided on ornear a TFT substrate 2 as well as a frame BM 32 and a pixel BM 34.

The display panel 14 includes the TFT substrate 2, a counter substrate3, a liquid crystal layer 5, a sealant 4, and polarizing plates 6 and 7.The TFT substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are opposite to eachother. The liquid crystal layer 5 is located between the TFT substrate 2and the counter substrate 3. The sealant 4 has a frame shape in whichthe liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed in between the TFT substrate 2 andthe counter substrate 3. The polarizing plates 6 and 7 are disposed onrespective outer surfaces of the TFT substrate 2 and the countersubstrate 3.

In the display panel 14, a counter electrode (not illustrated) isprovided on an insulating substrate 31 of the counter substrate 3 and analignment film (not illustrated) covers the counter electrode.

An array layer 24 is provided on an insulating substrate 21 of the TFTsubstrate 2 of the display panel 14. The array layer 24 includes aplurality of signal lines arranged in parallel in the row direction, aplurality of gate lines arranged in parallel in the column direction, aplurality of TFTs disposed at respective intersections of the signallines and the gate lines, and the like.

A pixel BM 34 is provided on the array layer 24 in the pixel region in alatticed manner to define red CFs 35, green CFs 36, and blue CFs 37.Respective pixel electrodes (not illustrated) are provided to cover thered CFs 35, the green CFs 36, and the blue CFs 37, and an alignment film(not illustrated) is provided to cover the pixel electrodes.

A rectangular frame BM 32 is provided on the array layer 24 in the fameregion.

In the display panel 14, a recess 43 in a recessed groove shape extendsaround the entire periphery of the frame BM 32 in a part of the frame BM32 located inwardly near the pixel region of the liquid crystal layer 5.

In also the display panel 14 in the fifth embodiment, when internalpressure of the liquid crystal layer 5 increases by local gathering ofthe liquid crystal material at a part of the liquid crystal layer 5where attachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates in a situation inwhich the polarizing plate 7 is attached onto the insulating substrate31 by rolling the polarizing plate attaching roller 15, the liquidcrystal material flows into the recess 43 and moves toward a part of theliquid crystal layer 5 located opposite to the part thereof whereattachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates in a similar manner tothat in the display panel 1. Thus, local gathering of the liquid crystalmaterial can be released.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional view of a display panel 16according to a sixth embodiment as viewed in a longitudinal directionthereof. Elements in the drawing that are the same as those in FIG. 11are labelled using the same reference signs. The display panel 16 is instructure of color filter on array (COA) in which CFs are provided on ornear a TFT substrate 2 while a frame BM 32 and a pixel BM 34 areprovided on or near a counter substrate 3.

The display panel 16 includes the TFT substrate 2, the counter substrate3, a liquid crystal layer 5, a sealant 4, and polarizing plates 6 and 7.The TFT substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are opposite to eachother. The liquid crystal layer 5 is located between the TFT substrate 2and the counter substrate 3. The sealant 4 has a frame shape in whichthe liquid crystal layer 5 is sealed in between the TFT substrate 2 andthe counter substrate 3. The polarizing plates 6 and 7 are disposed onrespective outer surfaces of the TFT substrate 2 and the countersubstrate 3.

An array layer 24 is provided on an insulating substrate 21 of the TFTsubstrate 2 of the display panel 16. The array layer 24 includes aplurality of signal lines arranged in parallel in the row direction, aplurality of gate lines arranged in parallel in the column direction, aplurality of TFTs disposed at respective intersections of the signallines and the gate lines, and the like.

Red CFs 35, green CFs 36, and blue CFs 37 are provided on the arraylayer 24 in the pixel region. Respective pixel electrodes (notillustrated) are provided to cover the red CFs 35, the green CFs 36, andthe blue CFs 37, and an alignment film (not illustrated) is provided tocover the pixel electrodes.

The pixel BM 34 in a lattice shape is provided in correspondence withthe respective CFs on an insulating substrate 31 of the countersubstrate 3 of the display panel 16 in the pixel region to define therespective CFs.

The rectangular frame-shaped frame BM 32 is disposed on the insulatingsubstrate 31 in the frame region.

In the display panel 16, a recess 44 in a recessed groove shape extendsaround the entire periphery of the frame BM 32 in a part of the frame BM32 located inwardly near the pixel region of the liquid crystal layer 5.

In the display panel 16 according to the sixth embodiment, when internalpressure of the liquid crystal layer 5 increases by local gathering ofthe liquid crystal material at a part of the liquid crystal layer 5where attachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates in a situation inwhich the polarizing plate 7 is attached onto the insulating substrate31 by rolling the polarizing plate attaching roller 15, the liquidcrystal material flows into the recess 44 and moves toward a part of theliquid crystal layer 5 located opposite to a part of the liquid crystallayer 5 where attachment of the polarizing plate 7 terminates. Thus,local gathering of the liquid crystal material can be released.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention is notlimited to the above-described first to sixth embodiments and variousalterations may be made without departing from the scope of claims. Thatis, any embodiments achieved by combining technical means appropriatelyaltered within the scope of the claims are within the technical scope ofthe present invention.

REFERENCE SINGS LIST

-   1, 13, 14, 16 Display panel-   2 TFT substrate-   21 Insulating substrate-   22 Pixel electrode-   23 Signal line-   24 Array layer-   3 Counter substrate-   31 Insulating substrate-   32 Frame BM (light shielding film)-   33, 38, 43, 44 Recess-   34 Pixel BM-   35 Red CF-   36 Green CF-   37 Blue CF-   39, 41 First recess-   40, 42 Second recess-   4 Sealant-   5 Liquid crystal layer-   7 Display module-   8 Front cabinet-   9 Rear cabinet-   10 Tuner-   11 Decoder-   12 Stand-   15 Polarizing plate attaching roller-   100 TV receiver

1.-6. (canceled)
 7. A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising: twosubstrates; a sealant that bonds the two substrates together; a liquidcrystal layer located between the two substrates and surrounded by thesealant; a light shielding film in a frame shape disposed on a surfaceof one substrate of the two substrates, the surface facing the lightshielding layer; a first recess linearly extending along at least a partof a peripheral of the light shielding film in the light shielding film;and a second recess extending in the light shielding film to beconnected to the first recess and the liquid crystal layer in a pixelregion.
 8. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the light shielding film has a long side and a short side, thelong side being connected to the short side with a corner, the firstrecess includes a part located at at least a part of the short side anda part located at at least a part of the long side.
 9. The liquidcrystal display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first recessextends around an entire periphery of the light shielding film.
 10. Theliquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the onesubstrate is a counter substrate including a counter electrode, and thelight shielding film is a black matrix provided on the counter substratein a frame region.
 11. The liquid crystal display apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the one substrate is a thin film transistor substrate,and the light shielding film is a black matrix provided on the thin filmtransistor substrate in a frame region.
 12. The liquid crystal displayapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light shielding film has afirst part and a second part larger in thickness than the first part,the first recess is located at the first part of the light shieldingfilm.
 13. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the light shielding film has a first part and a second partlarger in thickness than the first part, the first recess is located atthe first part of the light shielding film.
 14. The liquid crystaldisplay apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the light shieldingfilm has a first part and a second part larger in thickness than thefirst part, the first recess is located at the first part of the lightshielding film.